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The kitchen is one of the most interesting corners of our April digital cover star Gustaf Westman’s apartment and, yet, it’s only the width of three cabinets. In a world where it seems so normal to have a massive waterfall island that can seat four, a hidden walk-in pantry, and a bonus sink, the Swedish product designer’s studio is a humble reminder that you can totally get by with a few storage spots and basic appliances on a single wall. In fact, the streamlined layout opens up the opportunity for introducing cool, freestanding furniture and merging your living and cooking space. Here are seven ways to make the most of a one-wall kitchen.
Drench Everything in One Hue
Matching your upper cabinets to your lower ones will make your single-wall kitchen look intentional, but if you want to take it a step further, bring the countertop into the conversation like Westman did. The designer opted for a faint pink stain so the character of his pine doors still shines through. The only essential not pictured is his refrigerator located around the corner.
End on a Solid Note
Artist Lauren Hom added a stock IKEA cabinet above her freshly painted refrigerator and sandwiched the appliances with two tall plywood boards to make it look built in. From there she tackled a more intense woodworking project: tall, curved open shelves that now hold her prettiest cookware.
Invest in a Stylish Fridge
Even after Madelynn Furlong put a ton of work into her NYC kitchen (she DIY’d faux marble countertops and replaced the uppers with open shelves), she still felt like something was off. Turns out, it was her refrigerator. She replaced her dingy one with a vintage-inspired Galanz that was $500.
Add the Island of Your Choosing
Just because your kitchen didn’t come with an island that has storage and seating doesn’t mean you can’t bring in your own. In addition to adding a vintage wood chest to use as a pantry (it’s just to the left of the fridge), interior stylist Courtney Favini bought an island for $200 at an antiques auction so she’d have a place to dine and extra countertop space to prep on.
Get Funky with Your Cabinets
What if we told you the cabinets in Joy Cho’s guesthouse were IKEA with a semi-custom twist? She worked with Copenhagen-based firm Reform to swap out the standard doors for a trio of brass, mauve, and blue panels. A single-wall layout is less busy by nature, so go ahead and take some more risks with your paint choice(s).
Carve Out a Work Space
The single-wall kitchen in this Paris apartment serves so many functions. Closest to the entrance, interior architect Olivier Debin snuck in tall cabinets for long clothing, plus a hidden washing machine. At the other end? He worked in a desk with plenty of shelving, proving one long wall really can hold it all.
Tuck Unsightly Equipment Behind the Cabinets
Whether you can’t stand looking at your microwave (or you have a bulky tankless water heater smack-dab in the middle of your kitchen like designer Antoinette Allande Anderson) you can disguise most eyesores by stowing them behind a cupboard.